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Next Southwest Class after October?

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Mickey D

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2005
Posts
60
Does anybody have any reliable information on the next class date at Southwest after the October class? I read a rumour somewhere on this board yesterday about classes stopping until June '08 after the Oct. class. Has anyone been able to confirm this (God, I hope not!)?
 
I doubt it, we usually heat up in the new year so that we have new hires to cover the summer while the senior dudes go on vacation. having the first class in June makes no sense. If age 60 doesn't change there will be a lot of retirements next year, so even if we delay more deliveries I expect several classes in the spring.
 
My friend (DAL Capt) says that classes are going to be put off until June to prepare for a "big announcement." He is hearing that it's an aquisition (Air Tran) and they therefore need the training center open to train all the 717 guys that will be moving to SWA.

He's pretty in the know...but you guys can still take it for what it's worth. He knew about the LAS base about 6 months prior to the announcement.
 
No offense, but people in the know don't talk ... t like how you think though ...
 
Air Tran? Not likely. My guess would be Alaska if we bought anybody which is also unlikely. More presence in Washignton and can add Mexico to the routes.
 
I don't think we are buying AT, but if we DO, getting rid of the 717s wouldn't be all that tough. I'm sure we could (or maybe already HAVE) make a deal with Boeing for them. Also, if you remember, we operated 727's for a while, back in the day. Stranger things have happened.
 
If Tanker Clown is prescient, and a merger goes down, what would be the disposition of 300+ poolrats? Swimmers what to know....

RM
 
It's not like 717's are not an asset. Do they fit the model...no, but they are worth something. There are buyers for them. Remember the Frontier rumors? They don't operate a single 73, but they are still an option.

Southwest execs have been seen in Atlanta. It makes sense. Air Tran is the only airline that operates as cheaply as SWA. They share much of the same equipment....and best of all, they open up new markets (ATL for instance).

I hear that it's only a matter of time. Hence, no new SWA new hire classes until June. The real topic of this board is how is the seniority list going to be integrated?
 
RogerMOSA said:
If Tanker Clown is prescient, and a merger goes down, what would be the disposition of 300+ poolrats? Swimmers what to know....

RM
Click to expand...

Depends on when the merger is finally a done deal. I'm hoping to get on with Air Tran (since SWA stopped interviews). I figure it's getting in thru the back door.
 
Wouldn't it be ironic if airTran ended up selling their B717s to Midwest after a buyout by SWA?

I don't think there's much a chance at all of that happening, but it would be goofy...

"There will be no more discussion of rumors until the merger is complete!"
 
CF34-3B1 said:
I don't think we are buying AT, but if we DO, getting rid of the 717s wouldn't be all that tough. I'm sure we could (or maybe already HAVE) make a deal with Boeing for them. Also, if you remember, we operated 727's for a while, back in the day. Stranger things have happened.
Click to expand...

Ok, but what about the 700 pilots that fly them?
 
No offense meant to you AirTran guys out there, but I haven't met a single ATL gate agent that would fit Southwest's mold of friendly customer service. In my many travels through ATL, I've even heard a CSA tell a passenger to "shut up" once.
 
The best way to figure out when the next new hire class will be ... figure out the aircraft delivery schedule for 2008....if you have that, then it should help you determine when there will be NH classes
 
FlyinGuy said:
According to another thread, you also need to concider age 65...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately true, as I was just reading (you can imagine I dropped a couple of "F-bombs" after reading about it). With the age 65 rule in mind, anyone care to give an updated estimate on the next class? Or is this the big announcement the good folks in Dallas were referring to?
 
hyeflyin said:
How many retirements does SWA have next year?
Click to expand...

ZERO. Age 65 is in the process of being passed. Now we'll get to see how many gentlement who once said, "Oh don't worry, brother! I don't plan to fly all the way to 65...more like 62 or something." Sure...
 
:beer:
RogerMOSA said:
If Tanker Clown is prescient, and a merger goes down, what would be the disposition of 300+ poolrats? Swimmers what to know....

RM
Click to expand...
NOT to change the subject or make anyone mad...but...
I think the correct term for the process would be
acquisition...the rules are much different when it comes down to putting the two lists together if you read the railway and labor act. There would be no merging. Only stapling.
 
Last edited:
FlyFastLiveSlow said:
Spoken like a true arrogant SWA guy (minority) taht thinks Texas is the best place on earth. :puke:
Click to expand...
I wasn't being arrogant...just trying to contribute what I think might happen if this "what if" scenario happens...would it be fair?...you tell me...how many people have quit WN to go to work for Air Tran?...and BTW....TEXAS is the best place on Earth. ;)
 
FR8dognit said:
I wasn't being arrogant...just trying to contribute what I think might happen if this "what if" scenario happens...would it be fair?...you tell me...how many people have quit WN to go to work for Air Tran?...and BTW....TEXAS is the best place on Earth. ;)
Click to expand...

I misread....you just seemed so gleeful that at the idea of a staple. It really depends on how the deal goes down as to what would be "fair". Lot's of new people at both companies. Sorry for accusing you.

As for Texas, I agree with building a fence on the border....the Oklahoma border that is.....
 
FlyFastLiveSlow said:
I misread....you just seemed so gleeful that at the idea of a staple. It really depends on how the deal goes down as to what would be "fair". Lot's of new people at both companies. Sorry for accusing you.

As for Texas, I agree with building a fence on the border....the Oklahoma border that is.....
Click to expand...

Not "Gleeful"...I personally don't want either pilot group to be in this situation. But it is important to look at history and the law so everyone is well informed if it did happen. I have many friends at Air Tran and do not wish ill will on them or you. However...if it comes right down to it...my guess is that our union as well as yours will do the best it can for each side under the law. Good luck and please, read the whole post before making harsh accusations and ill informed comments.
 
Does anyone really think this would impact current SWA poolies? Even if it happened tomorrow, how long does it take to actually be approved? After that, it seems much to complex to execute in just a few months. US Airlines & America West still haven't completely "merged" and they started 2 years ago.
 
Back to Mickey D...

:confused: Does anyone know what happens to the guys in the pool when all of this happens, whether it's the 65 rule, "merger or aquisition", or whatever? ? ? Since the PD do a great job of only telling us what happens in the next month, something like this would be nice to know.:)
 

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